Gift Giving & Exciting Escapades: 15 Ways to Wow the Matriarch in Your Life
- JAHLEAH SANTIAGO
- May 7
- 6 min read
When you’ve only got one day to give back to that special woman in your life, it may cause a scramble but planning a special Mother’s Day doesn’t need to send you into panic. New York City, famous for an array of eateries and shops is the perfect place to pick up a meaningful gift or reserve the perfect meal for you and those you love. Here are our top picks for Mother’s Day plans that’ll impress.
Dining
Vestry
Celebrate Mother’s Day in style at Vestry, where TEALEAVES and Chef Shaun Hergatt will toast Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year—Mocha Mousse—via an indulgent menu inspired by the new Relaxed Elegance palette. Savor elegant bites like scones with Devonshire cream and Mocha Mousse tea jam, Catsmo smoked salmon on mini bagels with horseradish, bombolini with honey crisp apples and cinnamon sugar, and almond financier with dulce de leche and TEALEAVES tea powder.
📍Vestry (246 Spring Street)
Elsie Rooftop
Elsie Rooftop offers sky-high views and two unforgettable experiences including a festive rooftop brunch featuring 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, rosé, or wine, paired with entrées like Tiramisu Pancakes, Shakshuka, or an “Egg in a Hole” Croque Madame. If you’re feeling Bridgertonesque opt for their elegant afternoon High Tea with Lady Mendl, complete with tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and unlimited artisan teas—with the option to spike your pot and blend your own tea to take home.
📍Elsie Rooftop (1412 Broadway)
📅 Brunch: 10 AM–12 PM | High Tea: 2 PM–5 PM
The Consulate
Treat Mom to a chic brunch at The Consulate, where she’ll be welcomed with a Mimosa or Bellini and enjoy elegant starters like Tuna Tartare or fresh oysters. Mains include Lobster Rolls, Lobster Benedict, or the signature Consulate Omelette. Finish with a Sweet Summer Crème Brûlée or a warm chocolate chip cookie with gelato.
📍Upper West Side (519 Columbus Ave) or Midtown (44 W 56th St.)
Reyna
Reyna, which translates to “Queen” in Spanish, is a woman-owned Mediterranean tapas and cocktail bar located in Union Square ready to dazzle. Guests can indulge in à la carte brunch and dinner, plus half-price bottles of prosecco or single-serve non-alcoholic sparkling wine imported from Spain. Treat mom to Louis’ Deviled Eggs with caviar, served all day, or indulge in Caviar Service for two.
📍Reyna (11 East 13th Street)
Lulla
Mom can score a complimentary glass of prosecco or a Select Spritz at Lulla this Mother’s Day —because a little treat goes a long way. The Chelsea spot will offer a prix fixe brunch featuring house-made focaccia, artisanal pastries, and burrata with mint pesto, followed by main courses like fluffy buttermilk pancakes, avocado toast with poached eggs, and flat iron steak. If you’re hoping for plans later in the evening, savor dinner starting with fresh focaccia and giardiniera, then move into eggplant parmesan, jumbo asparagus salad, and entrées like Margherita pizza, chicken piccata, and branzino.
📍Lulla (113 West 24th Street)
📅 Brunch: 11 AM–3:30 PM | Dinner: 4 PM–9:30 PM
Altair
Altair in Midtown invites foodies on a journey of elemental flavors and refined culinary artistry—like a spa day but for your taste buds. Mom can sip on a complimentary glass of prosecco while dining on prix fixe brunch featuring house-made rolls and a shared first course of crispy artichoke tempura with béarnaise, Castelfranco Caesar, and almond croissant with blackberry jam, followed by mains like Atlantic salmon, wild mushroom ravioli, pan con tomate, and avocado toast. Opt for dinner instead with standout dishes such as hamachi crudo, Long Island duck, grilled hanger steak, and sea bass in velvety verjus blanc sauce.
📍Altair (351 West 38th Street)
📅 Brunch: 11 AM–3:30 PM | Dinner: 4 PM–9:30 PM
The Alderman
The Alderman in Times Square boasts brunch or dinner that feels like turning the clocks back to the golden age—with every dish capturing the elegance and richness of classic New York. Arrive during brunch which starts with their one of a kind fresh and fluffy Parker House rolls, Italian pickles, and fresh pastries for the table, followed by first-course selections like chorizo arancini, Cobb salad, or burrata with mint pesto. Entrées include buttermilk pancakes, avocado toast, lasagna bolognese, and charred asparagus with a fried egg—all paired with a complimentary glass of prosecco. The dinner menu continues the timeless experience with dishes like Oyster Rockefeller, flat iron steak, branzino, and half chicken, ending on a sweet note with the chef’s choice of indulgent desserts.
📍The Alderman (150A W 48th Street)
📅 Brunch: 11 AM–3:30 PM | Dinner: 5 PM–9:30 PM
Plant Junkie
If your Mom has a green thumb or likes to dream about one day helming a garden of their own, Plant Junkie is the spot to be this Mother’s Day. The 100% plant based vegan eatery tucked away in the South Street Seaport is all about plant magic with a special green giveaway. From 11 AM to 8 PM, anyone who visits with their mom and makes a purchase will receive free seedlings to take home and grow together—a sweet and sustainable way to mark the occasion.
📍Plant Junkie: 226 Front Street
Gift Guide
Mindful Vegan Body and Skincare Sets at LUSH
Treat Mom to some well-deserved “me time” with LUSH, the beloved brand known for its vegan, cruelty-free bath and body goodies. Their Mother’s Day gift sets are packed with joy, fizz, and fragrant relaxation. Mom’s Bathtime Favorites offers nine bath treats—from bubbly bars to soothing bombs—wrapped in cheerful artwork by Lush artist Iris Otto. The Happy Mother’s Day Gift is a seven-day countdown filled with bath bombs, body care, and surprise moments of calm behind every door. For a simpler indulgence, the Mom Gift features four spring-inspired bath bombs, including three exclusives and one year-round favorite.
Charlie Fox… for the “I’m Not Like Regular Moms, I’m a Cool Mom” in Your Life
Cool moms deserve a moment to unwind—and Mother's Day is the perfect excuse. Charlie Fox offers a curated, approachable selection in a luxe, welcoming setting—perfect for gifting something a little different this year. Thoughtful cannabis and CBD products, like calming gummies or stress-relieving pre-rolls, can support better sleep, reduce anxiety, and create space for a little well-earned “you time.”
KLEOS Botanical Elixir for Revitalizing Cocktails with 2,500-Year-Old Secret Ingredient
Bring a Greek vacation and nightcap straight to Mom on Mother’s Day! KLEOS Mastiha Spirit is a low-calorie, low-sugar, low-ABV botanical liquor made from mastiha, a Greek superfood known for its digestive benefits. Smooth, aromatic, and incredibly versatile, KLEOS mixes effortlessly into cocktails or shines on its own over ice. At just 110 calories per two ounces, it’s the ultimate better-for-you aperitif or digestif. Woman-owned and small batch, KLEOS is made with attention to detail.
Li-Lac Chocolates Made Locally In Brooklyn
For the mom with a sweet tooth, Li-Lac Chocolates offers an irresistible collection of handmade gourmet treats that turn gifting into an art form. Crafted fresh in Brooklyn, their Mother’s Day lineup includes everything from elegant French assortments and life-size chocolate handbags to whimsical lipstick trios, jewelry boxes, and even a fully edible treasure chest filled with truffles. Whether you opt for a beautifully boxed 15-piece truffle set or go all out with their luxurious Signature Chocolate Basket, these indulgent confections are as stunning as they are delicious. With floral packaging and decadent detail, Li-Lac makes it easy to show your love—one chocolate at a time.
Hola! Terra Blends Gives the Gift of High Quality Sustainable Home Decor & Wellness
Indulge in sustainable luxury with Hola! Terra candles— featuring colorful scents to choose from like Starling, a refreshing blend of eucalyptus, lemon, cedar leaf, galbanum, and clove leaf essential oils. Hand-poured in NYC with 100% soy wax and housed in a beautifully crafted, eco-friendly stoneware jar, this candle offers a clean burn and a chic reusable container. It's the perfect way to brighten a space or enjoy some aromatherapy— naturally.
Sari Flower Garland Courtesy of Fair Trade Winds’
Give the gift of surprise with Fair Trade Winds’ Upcycled Sari Collection. From Silk Kantha Tote Bags to Recycled Sari Cloth Journals and Spring Kantha Throws, this vibrant collection offers one-of-a-kind pieces for every need. Handmade from repurposed cotton saris, each item features traditional Indian patterns and layered kantha stitching—a technique once used to welcome guests with warmth and comfort. Thoughtful, beautiful, and eco-friendly, these gifts are a meaningful way to honor Mom and support artisan craftsmanship.
CacioPop Snacking for Late Nights in and Feel Good Cravings
Crunchy, crave-worthy, and unapologetically elevated— CacioPop is not your average movie-night munch. Infused with the iconic Roman duo of Cacio (cheese) and Pepe (pepper)—minus the dairy and gluten, or sugar—Chef Hope’s Cacio Pop is where culinary artistry meets clean snacking. Handcrafted in Brooklyn by a former caterer-turned-snack virtuoso, each bag is a high-protein, vegan love letter to flavor. Think of it as the "little black dress" of the pantry—timeless, flattering, and perfect for the mom who appreciates a bit of edge with her elegance (and maybe a splash of Pinot Grigio on the side).
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